Guys, think the first period is the third and play that way.

For the first three minutes of the game, the Devils seemed to look invincible.  Unfortunately for me, I was up in my attic getting a suitcase and some other things that I need for the Booster Club trip tonight to Carolina.  During the five minutes that I was up there, three goals were scored.  Two in 30 seconds for Jersey, then Trent got a deflection for us to make it 2 to 1.

In a sense I am glad I really did not see the goals.  My first reaction would be throwing something at my wide screen TV, and it would not have been pretty.

It seems to be a common theme lately.   The Isles get down early and build such a huge wall, that no matter how good they play in the latter periods, especially the last minutes of the game, it is too little too late. 

The streak is now at 5 and with tough matches coming up (@ Carolina, @ NYR and @ Boston), the team needs to solve this problem fast.  With the deep parity that is the NHL, having a losing streak like this, can propel you to depths that you may never climb out of (ask Philly).

What a nice goal Hilbert had!  Getting the pass from Mike Sillinger and launching a backhand rocket over the left shoulder of Martin Brodeur.  Like him or not, but I really believe that Hilbert has a real good work ethic, and seems to bust a nut out there.  Silly is also a good guy to have with him.  That alone, I believe, seems to boost his confidence.

Speaking of Sillinger, what a job he is doing.  He seems to come through and bring the team to a different level.  The last two games, he has gotten goals to get the team closer. He personifies what a veteran leader SHOULD do!  That is probably why he has gone to so many teams in trade deadline deals.  However, not this year!

What is the problem, you might ask?  This may go along with world peace as a question that has no answer.  We know that a team is fired up and ready to go.  With the video age in full force, teams know every idiosyncracy regarding a team, and what should be done to combat them.  Could it be the amount of toxins in the air, or the lack of minerals in the water.  One thing we know, is that a Ted Nolan coached team is prepared and ready.  We have to take our assumptions and throw them out.  We do not have Steve Stirling on the bench ANYMORE!

Eventually, the slide will end.  In my opinion, it will be tomorrow in Carolina.  At Midnight, I get on a bus with 30+ other crazies for a 12 hour journey to Raleigh.  From there, we head to the RBC center, and see the Isles take on the Canes.  I think it will be a good game.  The Canes are teed off, due to their 2-0 loss to the Coyotes.  Now - it is our turn to give them a spanking.  The time that we played Carolina at home, they came off a garbage effort at the hands of the Rangers.  Then we outshot them 20-1 in the first period.  As long as we do not have a similar fate than the last time we were in NC, I will be happy.  Check for me in the stands tomorrow night, I will have an 8 foot wide sign - you CAN’T miss us!

Will write an entry on Sunday (which will be posted when I get back to New York in the late evening).

Posted under Islanders 06-07